Unlocking Success in the Label Printing Industry: The Critical Role of Automation in Challenging Times
By Nicola Reynolds,Head of Marketing at Edale
The label industry has been on quite the journey over the past few years, responding to fast-evolving market conditions. From pandemic-driven surges to recent market softening, converters have faced numerous challenges. However, amid this turbulence, there are significant opportunities for businesses willing to embrace change and invest in strategic solutions.
The current market is complex. Converters are dealing with economic constraints, rising costs, and unpredictable demand. According to the FINAT Radar #24 industry report, label stock demand dropped by nearly 26% in 2023, with supply chain disruptions leading to destocking. The label industry was not alone. The folding carton market also contracted last year, albeit to a lesser extent, with carton output volumes down 4% according to ECMA. While growth has started to return, the recovery for label and packaging markets is still in progress.
Despite these headwinds, innovation is thriving.
Brand owners are increasingly focused on sustainability, streamlined processes, and supplier diversification. However, there is likewise growing demand for complex, innovative labelling solutions that meet both sustainability targets and brand differentiation needs. Today’s brands require more sophisticated decoration, enhanced embellishments, and higher-value labels to stand out on shelves while maintaining their environmental commitments.
This market evolution opens the door for converters who can deliver these advanced solutions—and the key to unlocking these opportunities lies in technology and the printing press experts and industry suppliers that support this. At Edale, we’re well-equipped to help businesses navigate these challenges with our advanced automation solutions and expertise in both carton and label press technology.
The Workforce Challenge: Automation as the Solution
One of the biggest issues facing our industry today is a shrinking workforce. Finding and retaining skilled press operators is becoming more difficult. For many converters, automation is no longer just a short-term fix but a long-term strategy to boost productivity and manage labour shortages. By automating key processes, operators can focus on value-adding tasks, minimising the impact of staff shortages on costs and performance.
This is where the Edale FL3 Flexographic Label Press truly stands out. Built with automation at its core, the FL3 is designed to reduce waste and limit the need for highly skilled operators. Its high productivity, along with a setup designed to suit specific customer needs, makes it a perfect solution for efficient and consistent premium label production—ideal for those seeking to enhance their operational efficiency.
Adding Value
Today’s label market demands more than just standard production capabilities. Brands seek partners that can deliver superior print combined with complex decorative effects and finishing options, bringing brand creativity to life. This is where Edale’s engineering excellence and solutions-focused approach to press design truly stands out. Our FL3 press technology enables converters to offer premium embellishments, multi-layer constructions, and sophisticated luxe finishing techniques that add significant value to the end product.
By combining technical capability with practical expertise, we help our customers to transform challenging spec requirements into profitable opportunities.
Agility and Flexibility: Adapting to Change
Success in today’s market isn’t just about automation; it’s about agility. Converters need equipment that can adapt quickly to fluctuating demands. The versatility of the FL3 enables converters to handle a wide range of substrates and incorporate inline embellishments. Whether it’s peel-and-reveal labels, speciality materials, or complex finishing requirements, the FL3 allows businesses to say “yes” to more jobs.
At Edale, we focus on engineering excellence and long-term value. The FL3 is built to exacting standards, backed by comprehensive long-term warranties and designed to deliver impressively low production costs over its lifetime. This commitment to high-quality engineering means our presses maintain precision and reliability, year after year, providing stable, consistent performance that translates directly to our customers’ bottom line.
Consistency and Quality: Raising the Bar for Flexo
In an industry where reputation is everything, quality matters.
There are few things a printer wants more than predictability; print repeatability and colour consistency are key to maintaining a competitive edge. The FL3’s robust construction and advanced automation ensure reliable, consistent output that maintains its precision and predictability over time. This stability, combined with our comprehensive service support network, means customers can count on their FL3 to deliver exceptional results throughout its operational life.
What truly sets Edale apart is our commitment to engineering excellence. Our presses are built to last, with high residual values that reflect their durability and performance longevity. This reliability, backed by responsive service support and readily available spare parts, ensures minimal downtime and maximum productivity.
The Path Forward: Thriving in Turbulent Times
While today’s label printing market is unpredictable, it’s also full of opportunities. To succeed, converters need more than just a press—they need a partner who understands their business challenges. With Edale and the FL3, we provide the automation, flexibility, and premium quality needed to thrive, even in turbulent times.
As we look to the future, the message is clear: converters who invest in automated, flexible solutions like the FL3 will be well-positioned to lead the charge in this evolving landscape. Challenges remain, but for those ready to innovate, the future is bright.